What type of salt is best to use in my new water softener?
The best type of salt to use in your new water softener is generally either solar salt or evaporated salt pellets. Both are highly effective at regenerating the resin beads that remove hardness minerals from your water. Avoid rock salt, which contains insoluble impurities that can accumulate in your softener tank and reduce its efficiency, requiring more frequent cleaning.
While both solar and evaporated salt pellets are good choices, evaporated salt is generally purer and dissolves more evenly, leading to slightly better performance and less chance of bridging or mushing in the brine tank. Solar salt, produced by evaporating seawater, can contain slightly more mineral impurities than evaporated salt, but it’s still a very suitable and often more economical option. Ultimately, the “best” salt for you will depend on your budget and how often you want to maintain your system. Purchasing high-quality salt is a good investment that can help extend the life of your water softener and ensure it functions optimally. Avoid using de-icing salt or table salt, as they contain additives that can damage your softener.